• “It gives Democrats reason to worry going into November.” — Florida Congressman-elect David Jolly, a Republican, on the meaning of his election this week to Florida’s 13th District.

Jolly said his win was a sign that voters continue to reject Obamacare. He predicted that voters in other districts across the country will do much the same. Democrats had hoped to pick up the seat and show the country that the 2014 mid-term election would not be a lost cause for them as so many have predicted.

• “The ridiculous notion that how well one flies a plane should have anything to do with whether they committed a crime.” — Missouri Sen. Claire McCaskill

of the “good soldier” defense, which traditionally had meant that a military officer can cite his or her military record as a defense if charged with sexual assault.

The good-soldier defense is set to become history under a bill that McCaskill championed. The bill, designed to combat sexual assault in the ranks, passed the Senate this week and is expected to get through the House. Michigan Sen. Carl Levin, chair of the Armed Services Committee, said the military “has been slow to grasp the painful truth that even a successful professional can also be a sexual predator.”

• “What I fear is that if we do decriminalize this we are going to make it attractive?” — Missouri state Rep. Galen Higdon, a. St. Joseph Republican, on a bill that would legalize marijuana use for most adults.

It’s tough to see this bill getting very far in the GOP-dominated House. But members of the House Crime Prevention and Public Safety Committee appeared to be open to a conversation about medical marijuana use.

• “With any medical issue it is natural to take time to consider the options rather than make an immediate decision. When it is a matter of life and death, it becomes even more imperative that we slow the process down and take every step to ensure this life-altering decision isn’t rushed.” — Missouri state Rep. Kevin Elmer, a Nixa Republican, on his legislation that would lengthen the waiting period for women seeking an abortion.

Current law calls for a 24-hour waiting period. That would grow to 72 hours, under Emler’s bill. The measure just passed the House by 115-39 and moved to the Senate. An amendment added to the bill would require the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services to develop a video that would be included in a packet provided to a woman who considers an abortion. The squeeze on the procedure continues.